Page 53 of Take This Heart
“Our walleye is the best in the state. Bob caught it this mornin’, and my batter is better’n sex.”
My eyes widen and Bruce laughs.
“You know what, Helen? You’re right about that,” Bruce says. “Give us a few of your baskets.”
“I’ll give you my basket all right,” she says, still grinning at me. She blows a bubble and it makes a loud pop. “Fries or Tater Tots?”
I swallow, feeling like she’d batter me up if she could. “Fries.”
“Tater Tots are always the way to go,” Bruce says, shaking his head.
“Gotta agree with ya there.” Helen nods and winks at Bruce.
“Okay, Tater Tots,” I agree.
“You still on that health kick?” Bruce asks when Helen walks away.
“I wouldn’t say a health kick necessarily, but I guess I stay away from junk most of the time.”
I haven’t eaten anything fried in five years, but this feels like the wrong place to bring that up. Helen’s affection feels like it could turn on a dime.
“So what’s this dinner about, Bruce? You said there’s someone you want me to meet?”
He leans forward, about to say something, when his face brightens. “Oh, there she is now. Ava! Over here.”
I turn, expecting to see a new girlfriend or at least someone close to his age, but she’s closer to my age—late twenties or early thirties, sharp green eyes, sleek dark hair, and a command to her walk that has everyone in The Hungry Walleye sitting up straighter and taking notice. Bruce likes them young and he’s older than my mother, but this woman feels a bit young, even for him.
Shit, this better not be a setup.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Bruce says, standing to kiss her cheek. “Thank you for joining us. Ava, I’d like you to meet your cousin, Milo. Milo, say hello to my daughter, Ava Piper.”
I blink. “Yourdaughter?”
“Hello,” Ava says. “I’m not sure what we do…shake hands? Hug? High-five?” She laughs and I do too, shaking my head.
“Wow. Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” I stand up and shake her hand. “This is crazy.”
Bruce’s chest puffs with pride. “Isn’t it amazing? She found me recently. All these new-fangled tests that people can do now…”
“23andMe,” Ava fills in, sitting down across from me.
“I don’t have many cousins my age…and definitely not many who live close. You’ve probably met Dahlia though,” I say, tilting my head toward Bruce.
Dahlia is his daughter with his ex-wife and she’s about eight years younger than me.
“No, I haven’t yet.” Her eyes move to Bruce and he shifts uncomfortably.
“Do you live in Minnesota?” I ask.
“I do now.” She lifts her hand and when Helen looks over, she points at my drink. “One of those, please. And your walleye basket.”
Helen nods. “Coming right up.”
Now that I look at Ava more, I see similarities to my uncle and my mom. “My mom will be so excited to meet you. Or have you met her already?”
She shakes her head. “Besides Bruce, you’re the only family member I’ve met.”
“Oh…have you told anyone else about her?” I ask Bruce.
